The Captain

twenty-three

I must have fallen asleep, for I was woken by sunlight beaming into my eyes and an uncomfortable crick in my neck. I sat up, blinking blearily, only to meet the dark eyes of one Maverick Sparrow.

"Oh!" I said, startled, "you're awake!"

He didn't answer right away, just staring at me.

"Are you in pain?"

"Did you stay here all night?"

I blinked.

"What?"

"Why are your clothes wet?"

I looked down to find that he was correct, both my shirt and skirt were still damp. In all the chaos, I'd neglected to find dry clothes.

"It doesn't matter. Are you feeling alright?"

He was still looking at me with that odd expression.

"Why... why is my shirt missing?"

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"You're entirely too inquisitive for this early in the morning. Fine. What do you remember about last night?"

He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling.

"Gordon. He wanted the translated clue... he..." his eyes flicked over to mine, a flash of anger in them. "He threatened to take you and Bonnie with him."

I nodded, looking down at my hands.

"We fought him. We got rid of his crew and then... I think he grabbed me and then it's just flashes."

I exhaled slowly.

"You were in the water. We couldn't see you... I jumped in to get you, you'd killed Gordon by then... We pulled you out and..." my voice cracked, failing slightly. I couldn't bring myself to look at him as I continued.

"We thought you were dead. But um, you weren't so we brought you down here and Bonnie, Nell and I did our best to stitch everyone up."

I heard shuffling and assumed he was probably looking at my handiwork on his leg.

There was silence for a moment.

"You... you saved me?"

"You're my best chance to get that treasure. And I had to return the favor from earlier, right?"

The joke came out halfhearted, both of us knowing that wasn't the real reason, but nobody was willing to say it.

We lapsed back into silence, unsaid words hanging heavily in the air.

"About last night... Before Gordon showed up," he began.

"We don't need to talk about it. Nothing happened, and nothing will. You hate me and I hate you and as soon as we get the treasure we never have to see each other again." I interrupted, suddenly feeling too warm. I got up.

"Florence."

I willed myself to look at him and kicked myself. The way he was looking at me was not the way you look at someone who you despise, quite the opposite.

"What?" I said softly.

He opened his mouth to reply when somebody knocked on the door.

"It's just me," Nell called.

Not sure if I was relieved or irritated, I opened the door.

"Morning, honey. I have some food for the captain. I can bring yours in as well if you'd like."